GETTY
The Portugal captain has netted 44 times in 47 games in 2017 as Real Madrid became the first ever team to defend their Champions League title, as well as winning La Liga.
The 32-year-old picked up the award for the fifth time to equal the record number of wins set by Barcelona rival Lionel Messi, who finished second.
Football fans are constantly split in debate over who is better and Sky Sports presenter Natalie Sawyer believes there is one key difference that separates the two.
“Messi is the Magician,” she told The Sun.
“He dazzles with his wizardry on the pitch. His diminutive build and quick feet means many struggle to compete with him one to one.
Seven Ballon d'Or winners if Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo weren't around
GETTY
“He’s made it in two of the toughest leagues in the world and for me that makes him the best.”
Sky Sports presenter Natalie Sawyer
“And to go with that he has the vision, control, power, composure, and generosity to share the limelight with his teammates to make him the phenomenon that he has become.
“For Ronaldo he too comes with the pace, the power, the distribution. He’s a physical force.
“Add to that he’s left and right-footed and can head the ball too; he certainly is the superior all-rounder.
“He might not get the superlative adjectives that come hand in hand with Messi but he has without doubt become the rightful rival to the Argentine and continues to make his mark in football with his goals, goals, goals.
GETTY
“And here for me comes the clincher - all of Messi’s goals have come in Spain. All his achievements in the colours of Barcelona.
“Ronaldo is doing it in Spain for Madrid having already done it in England with Manchester United.
“He’s made it in two of the toughest leagues in the world and for me that makes him the best.”